KKN Gurugram Desk | The Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) has announced the cancellation of two key class 10 board exams after allegations of question paper leaks surfaced. The Hindi (Course A & B) exam conducted on February 18, 2025, and the Science exam held on February 20, 2025, have both been canceled. This decision came after concerns raised through social media and news outlets regarding the integrity of the exam papers.

Exams Cancelled After Alleged Paper Leak

The JAC released an official notice informing all stakeholders, including students, parents, school principals, and exam center superintendents, about the cancellation of the two exams. The notice indicated that the cancellation followed reports of a paper leak that had gone viral on social media platforms. The leaked question papers reportedly matched the original ones that were distributed in the exams.

In the official statement, the Jharkhand Academic Council mentioned:

“This is to inform all students, parents, concerned principals, center superintendents, and relevant officials regarding the Annual Secondary Examination 2025 that, in light of the information received through viral social media posts and newspapers, the Hindi (Course A & Course B) exam held on February 18, 2025, in the first shift, and the Science exam held on February 20, 2025, in the first shift, have been canceled. The date for the re-examination of these subjects will be announced later.”

Leaked Question Papers Raise Serious Concerns

The controversy began when it was revealed that the sealed question paper packet for the Hindi exam had been opened on the morning of the exam day. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the paper inside matched one that had already been circulating on social media platforms. The Jharkhand Academic Council officials reportedly compared the leaked question paper with the original one and confirmed that there was indeed a breach in the exam’s security.

This prompted immediate action from the JAC to cancel the exams and announce that fresh dates for the re-exams would be provided soon. The leaked papers raised significant concerns over the transparency and security of the ongoing exams.

JAC Chairman’s Statement on the Matter

The controversy surrounding the paper leak was further fueled when the JAC Chairman made a statement revealing that the unsealed Hindi exam packet contained a question paper that had already been circulated online. This revelation alarmed both students and parents who were now questioning the integrity of the entire examination process.

Previous Allegations and Complaints

The situation surrounding the paper leaks had already been flagged by student leaders before the official confirmation of the breach. On February 18, 2025, Devendra Mahato, a student leader, had raised concerns about the Hindi question paper allegedly leaking hours before the exam. Mahato presented evidence to the JAC Secretary, Jayant Mishra, indicating that the Science paper had also been shared on WhatsApp just hours before the scheduled exam.

According to a media report, Mahato’s claims included screenshots and other evidence showing that the Science exam paper was being circulated among students on social media, raising further questions about how the question papers were being handled and whether adequate measures were in place to prevent such breaches.

Immediate Impact on Students and Educational Institutions

The cancellation of the Hindi and Science exams has caused widespread confusion and distress among class 10 students who had been preparing for the exams. Students who had already appeared for the exams are now left uncertain about their academic future, as the rescheduled dates for the re-examinations are yet to be announced.

Educational institutions, including schools and exam centers, are also affected by the sudden change in the examination schedule. Teachers, principals, and other staff members are now tasked with reorganizing the examination process and preparing for the upcoming re-examinations. The uncertainty surrounding the new exam dates has created additional pressure on both students and educators.

Future of JAC Board Exams: Security and Transparency Concerns

The incident has raised serious concerns about the security of board exams conducted by the Jharkhand Academic Council. The breach in security surrounding the Hindi and Science exams has prompted calls for an overhaul in the way the JAC handles its examination processes. The leak has also brought into question the measures taken by the council to safeguard the integrity of the exams, especially in the digital age where information can easily be shared online.

To address these concerns, the JAC has promised to take corrective action to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. However, the immediate focus remains on rescheduling the exams and ensuring that students are not further inconvenienced by this disruption.

What’s Next for JAC and Affected Students?

While the JAC has announced that new dates for the Hindi and Science re-exams will be revealed soon, it remains unclear exactly when these re-examinations will take place. Given the scale of the controversy, the council is likely to come under pressure to ensure that the re-exams are conducted fairly and securely.

For students, the uncertainty surrounding the re-exams has left them in a state of limbo. Many students have expressed concerns about how this cancellation will affect their academic progress and preparations for the upcoming exams. With the exam cycle already underway, the timing of the re-exams could have significant implications for students who are trying to balance their studies with other commitments.

The JAC will also need to consider how to manage the logistics of the re-examination process, including how to prevent further leaks and maintain fairness across all exam centers.

Impact on the Education System in Jharkhand

The Jharkhand education system has been under scrutiny following this incident, and the JAC is facing public backlash over its handling of the situation. The board exams are a critical part of the academic journey for many students, and incidents like these can undermine trust in the education system.

The controversy also highlights the growing role of social media in modern education, with many students and educational institutions using online platforms to share information and communicate. While technology can be a valuable tool, it also presents new challenges for exam security. The ease with which information can be shared online has made it difficult for authorities to control leaks and maintain confidentiality around exams.

Moving Forward: Strengthening Exam Security

In the wake of the paper leak incident, experts suggest that the Jharkhand Academic Council and other educational boards across India need to adopt stronger security measures to protect the integrity of exams. These measures could include:

1. Enhanced Paper Sealing Procedures: Exam papers should be sealed in a more secure manner to prevent unauthorized access before the exam.
2. Digital Monitoring Systems: Use of technology to monitor the distribution of exam papers and detect any irregularities in real-time.
3. Better Coordination with Exam Centers: Improved communication between educational boards and exam centers to ensure that protocols are strictly followed.
4. Training for Exam Officials: Regular training for exam officials to identify and handle potential security breaches effectively.

Conclusion

The cancellation of the Hindi and Science board exams by the Jharkhand Academic Council has brought to light significant concerns regarding exam security. The paper leak scandal has raised questions about the processes in place to safeguard the integrity of the JAC exams. While the immediate focus is on rescheduling the exams, the incident has highlighted the need for a more robust and transparent examination system.

For now, students and parents await updates on the new exam dates, hoping that the re-exams will be conducted smoothly and securely. The incident serves as a wake-up call for educational authorities to re-evaluate their examination security protocols and take necessary steps to prevent such issues in the future.